Journal article
Factors Influencing International Board Certified Lactation Consultants to Continue Advancing Practice Beyond Certification: A Multinational Study
International Journal of Childbirth, Vol.7(4), pp.227-237
2017
Abstract
Background:
Certification as a lactation consultant is based on practitioners having achieved a standard of knowledge indicative of their competence to practice by passing a psychometric examination. The underpinning principle of recertification programs is to support clinicians to become lifelong learners by progressively enhancing and advancing their knowledge and skills in line with contemporary evidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) to advance their practice.
Method:
A mixed-methods study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 included focus groups, interviews, and participants' demographic data. Phase 2 comprised of an online questionnaire to IBCLCs. This approach was designed to provide a comprehensive qualitative understanding of the IBCLCs' experiences, which was then triangulated with quantitative data from a significantly larger population of IBCLCs in Phase 2.
Results:
The findings are described in themes and subthemes. Participants in phase 2 (n = 3,946) reported being intrinsically motivated (93.3%, n = 3,631) and committed to providing evidence-based guidance and optimal care to support breastfeeding mothers. They identified various sources of continuing education, although attendance at conferences, peer support, and reflective sessions were the most common approaches to enhancing knowledge. They recognized that it was through extension of knowledge that they were able to advance their practice.
Conclusion:
This article identifies strategies that the managers, educators, and certification bodies can adopt to support the IBCLCs in continuing to advance their practice, which will ultimately improve breastfeeding outcomes for mothers.
Details
- Title
- Factors Influencing International Board Certified Lactation Consultants to Continue Advancing Practice Beyond Certification: A Multinational Study
- Authors
- Karolyn Vaughan (Author) - Griffith UniversityAnne McMurray (Author) - Griffith UniversityMary Sidebotham (Author) - Griffith UniversityJennifer Gamble (Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- International Journal of Childbirth, Vol.7(4), pp.227-237
- Publisher
- Springer Publishing Company
- DOI
- 10.1891/2156-5287.7.4.227
- ISSN
- 2156-5295
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; School of Health - Nursing
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99488508502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Nursing
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